Summary

The favorites were two Ethiopian women â [Elvan Abeylegesse], the world record holder who was competing for Turkey, and the 2003 World Champion, [Tirunesh Dibaba]. The final started at a funereal pace, the first lap run in 81.4 seconds. Abeylegesse took the lead after 2,000 metres but held it only two laps, and then dropped back, never again a factor. The lead then went to Kenyaâs [Isabella Ochichi], and only [Meseret Defar] (ETH) was able to stay with her. Ochichi continued in the lead into the final lap, but Defar jumped her on the final turn and held on to win the gold medal. Dibaba had not been a factor for the gold but closed quickly to get the bronze medal.

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